Tidbits

Shroom to grow

Tired of buying dried shiitake mushrooms for recipes? You can grow your own with Lost Creek Mushroom Farm’s shiitake log. A 24-hour soak gets the growing process started, and the mushrooms can be harvested six to 12 days after that. The log initially yields 1/4 to 1/3 pound of mushrooms, and that increases as the log matures. A 13-inch log costs $37.45 and a 19-inch log costs $42.45, including shipping and handling. To order or for a free brochure, call (800) 792-0053 or visit www.cowboy.net/~lcmf.

Get the scoop

Ice cream lovers better start planning now for the Fleet Scooper Bowl, scheduled for June 11-13 at Boston’s City Hall Plaza. The annual event features 36 different flavors from Ben & Jerry’s, Brigham’s/Elan, Double Rainbow Gourmet Ice Cream, Edy’s, Good Humor/Breyer’s, Haagen-Dazs, H.P. Hood, Kemp’s and Garelick Farms. The sweetest part, however, is the fact that the Scooper Bowl is expected to raise more than $100,000 for the Jimmy Fund, which supports cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-10. Children under 3 are admitted free. For more information and a list of this year’s flavors, visit www.jimmyfund.org or call (800) 52-JIMMY.

Calci-yum

According to a recent study, more than half of the U.S. population older than age 55 is at risk for osteoporosis. You can bone up on your calcium, even if you’re lactose-intolerant, by adding yogurt to your diet. The folks at Yoplait suggest making a parfait with your favorite yogurt (French vanilla custard-style with frozen berries and granola makes a great combination), adding crushed cookies, or blending yogurt, fruit and juice to make a frothy smoothie. For more tips on adding calcium to your diet, visit www.yoplait.com.